Chairperson,

Honourable Ministers,

Your Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is a pleasure to be here with you all today and I thank you for the kind invitation to brief you. In the short time since we last met a great deal has happened – some good, some not so good but 2018 has got off to a very rapid start, with high expectations for what must be achieved in South Sudan.

The successful convening of the High Level Revitalisation Forum just before Christmas was a huge and welcome step forward. A platform for inclusive, political dialogue has been established through which the challenges that confront us can be addressed and resolved.

I welcome the constructive engagement of all the parties and participants and trust that this will be sustained as we continue to make progress. I must congratulate Ambassador Dr. Ismail Wais, the IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan, for his determination in this matter.

Chairperson, Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

The first phase of the Forum dealt with the critical issue of bringing violence in South Sudan to an immediate halt. And so, like you all, I am pleased that within four days of convening, a comprehensive Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access was signed by all parties on 21st December 2017.

According to the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangement Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM) this new cessation of hostilities has had a generally positive effect on reducing the overall level of violence in the country. However, I am disappointed to note that within weeks of its signing, this agreement has been violated by no less than three of the signatory parties.

Since the 24th of December 2017, when the agreement came into effect, fighting and troop movements have been reported in Central Equatoria, Unity, Jonglei and Upper Nile States, causing further displacement of civilians. CTSAMM quickly published reports on two outbreaks of violence, in Koch and Mundri, apportioning blame to SPLA-IO (Machar) and SPLA-IG respectively. The Chairman of CTSAMM has advised me that a number of other incidents and alleged violations are currently under investigation and I hope to receive further reports very soon.

I condemn the violations and call upon all signatories to the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement to disseminate the terms of the agreement to their subordinate commanders and ensure immediate and consistent compliance.

Chairperson, Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

In recent days, statements have been made in the media by the Transitional Government of National Unity which, whether intentional or not, have the potential to undermine public confidence in regional and international peacekeeping efforts. In response, I have had cause to publicly demand full support for CTSAMM.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind us all that CTSAMM’s teams are the direct representatives of IGAD and the wider international community for the purpose of verification of ceasefire compliance in South Sudan and as such they deserve full respect and total cooperation.

I would also like to stress that they monitor and report with complete impartiality. Their reports are based on fact, not heresay or rumour, and they apportion blame only when the evidence gathered allows them to do so. There is always room for improvement in the management of their operations but it is deeply regretable that anyone should seek to undermine their integrity and commitment.

This week CTSAMM has conducted a workshop here in Addis Ababa with all the signatories, to put in place the practical mechanisms and cooperation required to deliver and enforce this cessation of hostilities agreement.

I commend CTSAMM for taking the lead on this and all the signatories for their participation. Furthermore, I urge the parties to cooperate fully under the terms of the Agreement so as to ensure unhindered access to the monitoring and verification teams in the field.

Chairperson, Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

As we begin this new year, I remain firmly of the belief that the revitalisation process provides us all with the most effective platform upon which to confront and resolve the severe security, governance, economic and humanitarian crises that continue to overwhelm South Sudan.

The Forum will convene again on 5th February and will continue its systematic review and invigoration of the Peace Agreement. It is beholden upon us all to keep our faith in this process and support it with all the resources at our disposal.

Chairperson, Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

The speed and alacrity with which some parties and individuals violated the cessation of hostilities agreement forces us all to confront, in much greater detail, the key issue of compliance.

We cannot stand by as South Sudanese leaders sign an agreement one day and authorise or allow its violation with impunity the next.

For the revitalisation process to be successful there must be a clear understanding among all South Sudanese leaders of the consequences of non-compliance and the determination of IGAD to ensure that agreements are complied with.

Articles 14.2 and 14.3 of the current cessation of hostilities agreement provide that the Chairperson of JMEC shall report any serious breaches to the TGoNU, IGAD, AU Peace and Security Council and UN Security Council for their action.

The actions refered to may include the measures decided by the 28th Extraordinary Summit of the IGAD Heads of State and Government, issued on 7th November 2014, namely:

The enactment of asset freezes

The enactment of regional travel bans, and,

The denial of the supply of arms and ammunition, and any other material that could be used in war.

It is now time to revisit the range of practical measures that can be applied in earnest to those who refuse to take this process seriously. We must, with one voice, make clear the consequences to be faced by those who wilfully violate, spoil or derail the Peace Agreement.

Chairperson, Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

Briefly, on other matters, I can report that:

The National Constitutional Amendment Committee (NCAC) continues to work diligently and expeditiously. We understand that the Constitutional Amendment Bill, submitted to the Minister of Justice back in April last year, is finally approved by the Council of Ministers but is yet to be tabled in the Transitional National Legislative Assembly for ratification.

Five security sector amendment bills were completed and submitted to the Minister of Justice two days ago, on 25th January, 2018. The NCAC is already in the process of reviewing the National Elections Act and Political Parties Act and has received submissions from parties and stakeholders which are now under consideration.

The humanitarian situation has seen very little improvement in recent months. Numbers of refugees and displaced persons remain at 4.1 million and UN-OCHA estimates that food shortages will leave around 5.1 million people unable to feed themselves properly by April.

Despite the November Presidential decree and the new Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, we await evidence of a significant improvement to humanitarian access around the country. In 2017 in South Sudan, there were 1,159 recorded humanitarian access incidents and 28 aid workers were killed. This is disgraceful. The High Level Humanitarian Oversight Committee meeting, anticipated since October, has still not taken place and as such the radical improvements needed in 2018 are nowhere in sight.

Improvements in economic stability in South Sudan have stalled. Annual inflation still hovers around 100 per cent and the exchange rate has started to weaken again after a period of stability. Payment of significant arrears in transfers to Sudan will require new borrowing if increased deficits and inflation are to be avoided.

Chairperson, Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

As I said at the beginning, 2018 is full of expectation for South Sudan. Ultimate responsibility for the direction that the country takes lies with the Government and the parties, but IGAD, supported by the wider international community, has a critical role to play.

It is essential that IGAD remains engaged, committed and focused throughout the revitalisation process, so that the reinforcing and reassuring support of the African Union and the United Nations can be brought to bear effectively and efficiently. Together, we have to help the South Sudanese leaders find and sustain the spirit of compromise and engagement that will deliver long term peace and stability.

I urge this Council to maintain a unified approach, demonstrate One Voice, challenge those who peddle self-interest, and decide the application of real measures against those who violate the Agreement.

The IGAD Revitalisation Forum is a watershed and offers an opportunity that should not be wasted or squandered. I appeal to IGAD to be resolute, without fear or favour, in their determination to ensure its success.

I thank you.

The Chairperson of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission H.E. Festus Mogae has on Saturday held a consultative meeting and briefed  leaders from IGAD, United Nation and African Union leaders in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

The National Constitutional Amendment Committee (NCAC) has on Thursday handed over five security Bills to the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs.

There must be clear consequences against “those who willfully violate, spoil or derail the Peace Agreement in South Sudan” the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) has said.

Good afternoon to you all, and good evening from Juba. May I first thank the President of the United Nations Security Council, H.E. Kairat Umarov, for your kind invitation to brief the Security Council today.

Mr President,

Members of the Council,

Just before Christmas, six months of hard work came to fruition with the successful convening of the IGAD High Level Revitalisation Forum in Addis Ababa, where fourteen South Sudanese parties and other key stakeholders came together to confront the challenges that face South Sudan after eighteen months of devastating chaos.

The first phase of the Forum dealt with the cessation of hostilities, and like you all, I am pleased that a comprehensive Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access was signed by all parties on 21st December 2017.

According to the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangement Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM) this new cessation of hostilities has had a generally positive effect on reducing the overall level of violence in the country. However, I am disappointed to note that, within the few weeks since its signing, this agreement has been violated by no less than three of the signatory parties.

Since the 24th of December 2017, when the agreement came into effect, fighting and troop movements have been reported in Unity, Jonglei, Upper Nile States and Central Equatoria, causing further displacement and disturbance of civilians. CTSAMM have quickly published reports on two outbreaks of violence, in Koch and Mundri, apportioning blame to SPLA-IO (Machar) and SPLA-IG respectively. The Chairman of CTSAMM has advised me that a number of other incidents and alleged violations are currently under investigation and I hope to receive further reports very soon.

I condemn these acts of violence and call upon all signatories to the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement to disseminate the terms of the agreement to their subordinate commanders and ensure immediate and consistent compliance

Mr President,

Within the past week, I have had cause to publicly demand full support for CTSAMM. Statements have been made in the media by the Transitional Government of National Unity which has the potential to undermine public confidence in regional and international peacekeeping efforts.

CTSAMM’s teams are the direct representatives of IGAD and the wider international community for the purpose of verification of ceasefire compliance in South Sudan and as such they deserve full respect and total cooperation. Such denigration of international peacekeeping missions, including the UN regional protection force, are unacceptable and I call upon the Security Council to reiterate its support for CTSAMM.

As I speak to you now, CTSAMM are leading a workshop in Addis Ababa with all the signatories which seeks to put in place the practical mechanisms and cooperation required to deliver and enforce this cessation of hostilities agreement.

I commend CTSAMM for taking the lead on this and all the signatories for their participation. I further urge the parties to cooperate fully under the terms of the Agreement so as to ensure unhindered access to the monitoring and verification teams in the field.

Mr President,

As we begin a new year, it remains my belief that the IGAD-led revitalisation process provides us all with the most effective platform upon which to confront and resolve the severe security, governance, economic and humanitarian crises that continue to overwhelm South Sudan. I wish to commend the IGAD Special Envoy, Ambassador Dr. Ismail Wais, for his tenacity in leading this process.

The Forum will convene again in two week’s time and continue its systematic review and invigoration of the Peace Agreement. It is beholden upon us all to keep our faith in this process and support it with all the resources at our disposal.

The single most powerful contribution that can be made by the regional and international community is to speak with ONE VOICE. Only if we stand together, unified in our approach, will we help the South Sudanese leaders find and sustain the spirit of compromise and engagement that will deliver peace and stability.

In four days time, in Addis Ababa, H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn, Prime Minister of Ethiopia and Chairman of IGAD, will host another consultative meeting between the United Nations, the African Union and the Heads of State and Government of IGAD. The resolute unity and determination of these three institutions will be necessary to bring about positive and sustainable change in South Sudan.

Mr President,

The speed and alacrity with which some parties and individuals violated the cessation of hostilities, leads me to raise, once again, the key issue of enforcement.

For the revitalisation process to be successful and for it to have the value and meaning that we would all wish it to have, there must be a clear understanding among all South Sudanese leaders of the consequences of non-compliance and the determination of the world to ensure that the Agreements they sign are complied with.

We cannot stand by as South Sudanese leaders sign an agreement one day and authorise or allow its violation with impunity the next.

We must address, with one voice, the issue of non-compliance and make clear the consequences to be faced by those who wilfully violate, spoil or derail the Peace Agreement in South Sudan.

Articles 14.2 and 14.3 of the current cessation of hostilities agreement provide that the Chairperson of JMEC shall report any serious breaches to the TGoNU, IGAD, AU Peace and Security Council and UN Security Council for their action. The actions refered to may include the measures decided by the 28th Extraordinary Summit of the IGAD Heads of State and Government, issued on 7th November 2014, namely:

 The enactment of asset freezes

The enactment of regional travel bans, and

The denial of the supply of arms and ammunition, and any other material that could be used in war.

It is now time to revisit the range of practical measures that can be applied in earnest to those who refuse to take this process seriously and make clear to all concerned that the world will not tolerate any further disruption to our efforts to deliver peace.

Mr President,

Over the coming weeks IGAD will continue along its path to revitalise the Peace Agreement, and along with you all, I wish to take this opportunity to reaffirm my total commitment to this process.

Together, with one voice, we can challenge those who peddle violence and self-interest and we urge the TGoNU and all parties to continue to engage in this inclusive, political process.

As I said earlier, the IGAD Revitalisation Forum is the best opportunity to restore peace and rebuild governance in South Sudan and the process must not be derailed.

Thank you, Mr President, and Happy New Year to you all.

PRESS RELEASE


(For Immediate Publication)

25th January 2018, Juba, South Sudan

The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) has asked the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to define clear consequences “to be faced by those who wilfully violate, spoil or derail the Peace Agreement in South Sudan.”

Addressing the UNSC on Thursday, JMEC Chairperson, H.E. Festus Mogae said, “For the revitalisation process (of the ARCSS) to be successful and for it to have the value and meaning that we would all wish it to have, there must be a clear understanding among all South Sudanese leaders of the consequences of non-compliance and the determination of the world to ensure that the Agreements they sign are enforced.”

“We cannot stand by as South Sudanese leaders sign an agreement one day and authorise or allow its violation with impunity the next,” the Chairperson said.
 
He was addressing the Council via video tele-conference from the capital, Juba.
 
The Chairperson said “it is now time to revisit the range of practical measures that can be applied in earnest to those who refuse to take this process seriously and make clear to all concerned that the world will not tolerate any further disruption to our efforts to deliver peace.”
 
The Chairperson cited the 28th Extraordinary Summit of the IGAD Heads of State and Government, communique issued on November 7, 2014, which listed enactment of asset freezes, regional travel bans, and the denial of the supply of arms and ammunition as consequences against violators of the then signed cessation of hostilities Agreement.
 
“Together, with one voice, we can challenge those who peddle violence and self-interest and we urge the TGoNU (Transitional Government of National Unity) and all parties to continue to engage in this inclusive, political process.”
 
The Chairperson said he was  “disappointed” that within days the signing of the Cessation of Hostilities in Addis, fighting and troop movements had been reported in Unity, Jonglei, Upper Nile States and Central Equatoria, causing further displacement and disturbance of civilians.
 
“I condemn these acts of violence and call upon all signatories to the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement to disseminate the terms of the agreement to their subordinate commanders and ensure immediate and consistent compliance,” he said.

The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) has on Wednesday briefed members of the United Nation Panel of Experts on South Sudan.

The two members Andrews Atta-Asamoah and Andrei Kolmakov were briefed by the JMEC Chairperson H.E. Festus Mogae.

Following an inclusive and participatory process involving Government, civil society, experts and security sector stakeholders, the National Constitutional Amendment Committee (NCAC) will now present the five amendment Bills to the security laws to the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs on Thursday 25th January 2018.

The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission Chairperson H.E. Festus Mogae will on Wednesday address the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

The address to be delivered via video tele-conference live from the South Sudan Capital, Juba, is expected to focus on enforcement of the IGAD-led Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities (ACoH) signed on December last year.

PRESS RELEASE


(For Immediate Publication)

22nd January 2018, Juba, South Sudan

JMEC DEMANDS FULL SUPPORT FOR CTSAMM

JMEC Chairman, H.E. Festus Mogae, demands that all parties fully respect and comply with the terms of the Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access, signed on 21st December 2017, and calls upon all sides to fulfil their obligations to the international ceasefire monitoring body, CTSAMM.

“CTSAMM teams are the direct representatives of IGAD and the wider international community on the ground in South Sudan and as such they must command our full respect and total cooperation.

“CTSAMM has and will continue to monitor the Permanent Ceasefire and the most recent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement to the best of its ability and with total impartiality. CTSAMM has and will continue to report any verified violations of the ceasefire, either in terms of specific acts of violence, military movement or any other actions that contravene the terms of the Agreement. Where necessary and where proven, CTSAMM apportions blame and responsibility as appropriate.

“CTSAMM is actively monitoring and investigating a number of incidents and movements around the country. It remains the responsibility of all Parties signatory to the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement to uphold their obligations to ensure unrestricted access to CTSAMM ceasefire monitors so that they can accurately and speedily report on the situation around the country.

“Article 4, paragraph 3 of the ACOH says, “the parties shall not carry out unwarranted verbal or physical attacks against CTSAMM, JMEC, IGAD, AU, UN or any other entity associated with implementation of this agreement.”

“It is therefore regrettable that public statements continue to be made which have the effect of undermining public acceptance of and confidence in regional and international peacekeeping efforts. It is the parties’ responsibility to ensure cooperation with CTSAMM and UNMISS to guarantee safe, open access to monitoring efforts and investigation teams, and CTSAMM’s work should not be impeded or interfered with in any way.”

ENDS